The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may opt to release LB Quincy Black (neck/shoulder) and his $5.5 million 2013 salary. His football future is in doubt due to nerve damage in his neck and shoulder and the team may want to spend the money on a more certain option. Should Black be released, he becomes eligible for a $1 million insurance payout. He'd then be eligible for another $500,000 insurance payout in 2014 should he not be able to return to the field by then.

Updating a previous report, Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Mark Dominik said LB Quincy Black (neck) is not close to returning from the neck injury he suffered during the season. Black is scheduled to undergo surgery on a damaged nerve.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Greg Schiano said LB Quincy Black (neck, arm) likely will make a full recovery but he is dealing with some complications with his left arm as a result of the helmet-to-helmet hit in the team's Week 10 game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Quincy Black (neck) was released from a Tampa hospital late Sunday, Nov. 11, in good spirits and with full function of all his extremities, according to agent Marc Lillibridge. "He was feeling good, but the doctors still aren't sure what the exact injury or extent of it is," Lillibridge said. "It could be a pinched nerve or something. He was going to get more tests today." Black was due back at the hospital Monday, Nov. 12, for more testing after he was carted off the field following a play in Week 10 in which he suffered a helmet-to-helmet hit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris said Sunday, Sept. 18, that LB Quincy Black (ankle) was benched in Week 2 against the Minnesota Vikings due to an ankle injury that presumably played a role in Black's several missed tackles. "That's not my thing," Black said of the injury. "If I'm out there, I'm out there. I don't make excuses." LB Mason Foster saw more time as a result.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not had any serious contract talks with impending free-agent LB Quincy Black, reports Charlie Campbell, of PewterReport.com. General manager Mark Dominik is expected to meet with Black's agent about the possibility of a deal.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers LB Quincy Black (forearm) is nearly recovered from the broken forearm he suffered during the season, reports Charlie Campbell, of PewterReport.com. Black is expected to be ready to participate in offseason workouts.